EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Issued by authority of the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury

Currency Act 1965

Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2025 Royal Australian Mint No. 1) Determination 2025

Subsection 13(2) and section 13A of the Currency Act 1965 (the Act) provide that the Treasurer may, by legislative instrument, determine details of Australian coin characteristics including denomination, standard composition, standard weight, allowable variation from standard weight, design and dimensions.

The purpose of this legislative instrument is to determine the characteristics of 14 new non-circulating coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint.

The Treasurer may authorise the making and issuing of coins specified, or taken to be specified, in the Schedule to the Currency Act 1965. A payment of money is a legal tender if it is made in coins that are made and issued under the Currency Act 1965.  Through the issue of a currency determination, the Treasurer can add, remove and alter the coin characteristics specified, or taken to be specified, in the Schedule to the Currency Act 1965.

In accordance with section 19 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, any Minister in the Treasury portfolio may, by legislative instrument, determine details of Australian coin characteristics.

Details of the legislative instrument are set out in the Attachment.

The legislative instrument commenced on the day after it was registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.

The legislative instrument is subject to disallowance under section 42 of the Legislation Act 2003.

The Determination is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2003. The Determination is not subject to sunsetting under the Legislation Act 2003 on the grounds that the instrument ensures economic certainty (see item 20 of the table in section 12 of the Legislation (Exemptions and Other Matters) Regulation 2015). The instrument’s operation is integral in ensuring that the currency produced by the Mints becomes, and remains, legal tender unless or until returned to a mint to be taken out of circulation in accordance with the Currency Act 1965.

Consultation

No public consultation was undertaken in relation to this legislative instrument. The effect of this instrument is to determine details of new Australian coin characteristics which will enable the Royal Australian Mint to continue its production of circulating and numismatic coins.

Members of the public have the opportunity to contact the Royal Australian Mint to present any themes they would like to see commemorated on Australian legal tender. These concepts are then researched and assessed in accordance with the Royal Australian Mint’s coin design policies. The Royal Australian Mint also uses market-based tools to identify interested parties and gauge interest in coin themes.

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2025 Royal Australian Mint No. 1) Determination 2025

This Legislative Instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Overview of the Legislative Instrument

The purpose of this legislative instrument is to determine the characteristics of 14 new non-circulating coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint.

Human rights implications

This Legislative Instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

Conclusion

This Legislative Instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.

ATTACHMENT

Details of the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2025 Royal Australian Mint No. 1) Determination 2025

This Attachment sets out further details of the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2025 Royal Australian Mint No. 1) Determination 2025 (the Determination).

Section 1 – Name

This section provides that the name of the Determination is the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2025 Royal Australian Mint No. 1) Determination 2025.

Section 2 – Commencement

This section prescribes that the Determination commences the day after the Determination is registered.

Section 3 – Authority

This section provides that the Determination is made under the Currency Act 1965.

Section 4 – Schedule

This section provides that each instrument specified in a Schedule to the Determination is amended or repealed as set out in the Schedule.

Schedule 1 – Amendments

Schedule 1 amends the Currency (Australian Coins) Determination 2019 by adding the details of new coin characteristics. The newly determined coin characteristics are set out below.

New non-circulating coins

2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Merino

The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Merino consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of the Big Merino sculpture by Attila and Louis Mokany, Gary Dutallis, and Glenn Senner, and a gift shop, upon a rock platform, with tufts of grass. In the background, there are the following stylised sights from the town of Goulburn, New South Wales:

1.                a winding road; and
2.                a landscape consisting of the sun, clouds, and a hill; and
3.                a road sign displaying the name “GOULBURN”.

The design includes the following inscriptions: “THE BIG MERINO”; and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.

Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Golden Guitar

The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Golden Guitar consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of the Big Golden Guitar sculpture by Harry Frost and Len Surtees upon a tiled platform with trees, the Golden Guitar Tourist Centre and the Golden Guitar Motor Inn. In the background, there are the following stylised sights from the town of Tamworth, New South Wales:

1.                a winding road; and
2.                a landscape consisting of the sun, a cloud, and a hill; and
3.                a road sign displaying the name “TAMWORTH”.

The design includes the following inscriptions: “THE BIG GOLDEN GUITAR”; and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.

Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Penguin

The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Penguin consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of the Big Penguin sculpture upon a tiled platform. In the background, there are the following stylised sights from the town of Penguin, Tasmania:

1.                set behind a tree, a grassy outlook, and a fence, the Bass Strait; and
2.                a winding road; and
3.                a landscape consisting of the sun, a cloud, a hill, and a flying seagull; and
4.                a road sign displaying the name “PENGUIN”.

The design includes the following inscriptions: “The Big Penguin”; and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.

Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Galah

The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Galah consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of the Big Galah sculpture by Roger, Dianne, Allan, Quentin, Dion and Arlene Venning, upon a rock platform with a log fence. In the background, there are the following stylised sights from the town of Kimba, South Australia:

1.                the Halfway Across Australia Gem Shop, surrounded by shrubs and trees; and
2.                a landscape consisting of the sun, boulders, and hills; and
3.                a winding road; and
4.                a motorhome driving along the winding road; and
5.                a triangular road sign on the side of the winding road; and
6.                a road sign displaying the name “KIMBA”.

The design includes the following inscriptions: “The Big Galah”; and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.

Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Rocking Horse

The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Rocking Horse consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of the Big Rocking Horse sculpture by David McIntosh, surrounded by trees, shrubs, rocks and the Toy Factory. In the background, there are the following stylised sights from Gumeracha, South Australia:

1.                a winding road; and
2.                a car driving along the winding road;
3.                a landscape consisting of the sun, boulders and hills; and
4.                a road sign displaying the name “GUMERACHA”.

The design includes the following inscriptions: “The Big Rocking Horse”; and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.

Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Wheelbarrow

The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Wheelbarrow consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of the Big Wheelbarrow sculpture by the Wedgefield Association and volunteers. In the background, there are the following stylised sights from the town of Wedgefield, Western Australia:

1.                a winding road; and
2.                a windmill; and
3.                a landscape consisting of boulders, shrubs, hills, a cloud and the sun; and
4.                a road sign displaying the name “WEDGEFIELD” with a tuft of grass at the base of the road sign.

The design includes the following inscriptions: “The Big WHEELBARROW”; and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.

Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Prawn

The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Prawn consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of the Big Prawn sculpture by James Martin upon a pedestal. In the background, there are the following stylised sights from the town of Exmouth, Western Australia:

1.                a winding road; and
2.                palm trees; and
3.                a landscape consisting of boulders, a hill, shrubs, a cloud and the sun; and
4.                a road sign displaying the name “EXMOUTH”.

The design includes the following inscriptions: “THE BIG PRAWN”; and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.

Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Strawberry
2025 $1 Coloured Uncirculated Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Strawberry

The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coins – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Strawberry consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of the Big Strawberry sculpture by Michael, Lorraine, Darren and Tania Hayes, Bruce Mactier and Len Price, upon a grassy platform, with a log fence. In the background, there are the following stylised sights from the town of Koonoomoo, Victoria:

1.                a winding road; and
2.                a car driving along the winding road; and
3.                a landscape consisting of hills, a tuft of grass, a cloud, the sun, shrubs and a house   sitting on a piece of land; and
4.                a road sign displaying the name “KOONOOMOO” with a tuft of grass and rocks at the base of the road sign.

The design includes the following inscriptions: “THE BIG STRAWBERRY”; and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.

On the coloured coin, the stylised representation of the sculpture, the grassy platform, and the log fence, are coloured.

Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Barramundi

The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Barramundi consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of the Big Barramundi sculpture by Techy Masero upon a platform with a rock at the base of the sculpture. In the background, there are the following sights from the town of Wanguri, Northern Territory:

1.                a winding road; and
2.                a landscape consisting of a sunset, boulders, hills, clouds, a tree, shrubs, a house and a water tank; and
3.               a road sign displaying the name “WANGURI”.

The design includes the following inscriptions: “THE BIG BARRAMUNDI”; and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.

Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Mango

The design on the 2025 $1 uncirculated coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – The Big Mango consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of the Big Mango sculpture by Geoff Ingham, upon a platform, which is partially obscured by two palm trees, with another tree behind the sculpture. On the platform, there is a sign displaying the name “BOWEN” with tufts of grass at the base of the sign. In the background, there are the following stylised sights from the town of Bowen, Queensland:

1.               a winding road; and
2.                a bus driving along the winding road; and
3.                a landscape consisting of boulders, a hill, a cloud, the sun and a house.

The design includes the following inscriptions: “THE BIG MANGO”; and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.

Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – Aussie Big Things 2 Group A
2025 $1 Proof Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – Aussie Big Things 2 Group A

The design on the 2025 $1 coins – Aussie Big Things 2 – Aussie Big Things 2 Group A consists of a montage of the following stylised representations:

1.                the Big Merino; and
2.                the Big Golden Guitar; and
3.                the Big Wheelbarrow; and
4.                the Big Prawn; and
5.                the Big Strawberry.

In the background, there is a stylised representation of a winding road and a landscape consisting of a hill, the sun and a cloud. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSSIE BIG THINGS”; and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.

Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

2025 $1 Uncirculated Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – Aussie Big Things 2 Group B
2025 $1 Proof Coin – Aussie Big Things 2 – Aussie Big Things 2 Group B

The design on the 2025 $1 coins – Aussie Big Things 2 – Aussie Big Things 2 Group B consists of a montage of the following stylised representations:

1.                     the Big Penguin;
2.                   the Big Galah;
3.                 the Big Rocking Horse; and
4.                 the Big Barramundi; and
5.                    the Big Mango.

There is a stylised representation of a winding road and a landscape consisting of hills, the sun and clouds. The design includes the following inscriptions: “AUSSIE BIG THINGS”; and “AS” being the initials of the designer Aleksandra Stokic.

Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.

2025 $1 ‘60’ Counterstamp Uncirculated Coin – Royal Australian Mint 60th Anniversary

The design on the 2025 $1 ‘60’ counterstamp uncirculated coin – Royal Australian Mint 60th anniversary consists of, in the foreground, a stylised representation of a coin press, viewed from above, and forming a stylised representation of the number “60”. In the background, and partially obscured by the coin press, are several circles, some unfilled and others containing representations of:

1.                a side view of the Royal Australian Mint building, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory; and
2.                an industrial robotic arm holding a drum; and
3.                two coin making tools; and
4.                a hand holding three coins; and
5.                coins; and
6.                a hand modelling a coin plaster; and
7.                an aerial view of the Royal Australian Mint building; and
8.                a partially obscured figure stacking gold bars.

The design includes the following inscriptions: “1965 – 2025”; “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT”; “AWB” being the initials of the designer Adam William Ball; and the number “60” enclosed in a circle.

Consistent with the tradition of an effigy of the reigning monarch appearing on the obverse side of all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will appear on the obverse side of the coin together with the inscriptions “CHARLES III”, “AUSTRALIA”, the inscription, in numerals, of a year, and Arabic numerals for the amount, in dollars or cents, of the denomination of the coin followed by “DOLLAR”, “DOLLARS” or “CENTS” as the case requires. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Dan Thorne “DT”.